Arsenal plan January splurge as Wenger confirms he wants Henry on loan plus TWO more

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal want to sign two players in January as well as bringing back Thierry Henry for a third spell at the club.

The return of club legend – and all-time leading goalscorer – Henry has been talked up by both parties, and in lavishing praise on the New York Red Bulls striker, Wenger confirmed efforts were underway to secure a second loan spell.

He said: ‘This winter we will work very hard because we have some funds available. It could happen that we buy two players, but I cannot reveal the names.

‘A loan [for Henry] is still a possibility, but we will still try to strengthen for the long term.’

Arsene Wenger is not usually known for making extensive use of the January transfer window but it appears that this winter he will bite the bullet and make significant moves to strengthen his Gunners squad in the hope that such moves increase the chances of securing that all important top four spot.

Wenger rarely directly responds to specific targets so his repeated statements regarding a possible comeback for Thierry Henry may well bear fruit. Whether Arsenal land the experienced striker for a third spell of course depend on the New York Red Bulls and whether the MLS side are willing to risk the possibility of their star striker being sidelined during a loan spell back at the Emirates Stadium. No doubt any offer would involve a financial inducement from the North London club.

The 35 year old did well in his last spell back at the club, scoring a couple of goals and being a useful impact player to call on from the bench.

Wenger makes reference to the need to strengthen for the long term so this source believes that to be a possible reference to long term target Wilfried Zaha. The Crystal Palace man has been in excellent form over the past 18 months and Ian Holloway will fight to keep the youngster but it could prove a futile gesture as the newly capped England man is sure to be interested in a move to the top tier and perhaps even more keen to stay in the capital.

This source also believes that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will be high up on the Arsenal wish-list for January, with the Dutch international still to put pen to paper on a new Schalke deal. The former Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan man has not stopped scoring for the Bundesliga side but could feel the time is right for a new challenge.

Above all other areas Wenger could look to improve on the club’s attack is perhaps the most in need of reinforcements. Bar big goal returns against Southampton and Tottenham the Gunners have found goals a little hard to come by and even though Olivier Giroud has greatly improved Arsenal will still see the need to bring in attacking alternatives to help boost their push to end a lengthy lean spell.